Israeli deputy PM in South Africa for controversial visit

Demonstrators call for isolation of ’apartheid Israel’

JOHANNESBURG: Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert began a four-day visit
to South Africa on Wednesday that pro-Palestinian groups denounced as a retreat
from the struggle for equality embraced by President Thabo Mbeki’s government

Olmert, who is also trade and industry minister, is the most senior Israeli official
to visit South Africa since the end of apartheid a decade ago.

He was due to sign an investment protection agreement with South Africa that the biggest union is opposing, saying it will embolden Israel to pursue its hard-line policies toward the Palestinians.

Outside a convention center that was to be the venue for the signing of the investment agreement, a few dozen vocal protesters from the Palestine Solidarity Group gathered, waving placards that read "Israel and Zionism Equals Racism" and "Isolate Apartheid Israel."

"We are protesting against his presence in South Africa," said Naeem Jeenah, spokesman for the Palestine Solidarity Group.

"He is the most racist of all Israeli politicians. When he was mayor of Jerusalem he literally ordered the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians," said Jeenah.

"It’s a reversal to apartheid times, when the two apartheid states in the world enjoyed a close relationship," he added.

Since it swept to power with the end of apartheid in 1994, the African National has taken a decidedly pro-Palestinian stance, harshly criticizing Israel for building settlements in the Palestinian territories.

But Mbeki’s government has been warming up to Israel, inviting members of the governing Likud Party to talks in Pretoria last month and offering to share South Africa’s experience of reconciliation.

The unions and other groups have been angered by the move, saying that Pretoria is merely seeking to win Israeli investment without regard for its policies.

South Africa’s main trade union COSATU said the investment agreement would "further embolden the Israeli regime and strengthen its determination to defy worldwide condemnations of the brutal policies they have inflicted on the people of Palestine."

The coalition of South African non-governmental organizations SANGOCO also said that the visit of a "hate-monger like Olmert is not in the best interests of the people of Israel and Palestine."

However, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said the "essence" of the visit was to encourage dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians and not to broaden economic ties. "After this there will be a visit by a top-level Palestinian leader for similar discussions," he said.

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